Community e-Newsletter

In Photos: Endless Opportunities

Student News

Love of Learning

Elementary schools across the district are celebrating I Love to Read month! At Birch Lake Elementary, students and staff kicked off their celebrations with an all-school assembly! Masked readers were revealed and students learned Minnesota author Keenan Jones would be visiting their building this month to read one of his books! Student Council members also announced a school-wide service project opportunity. They are encouraging everyone to donate diapers to the Diaper Drive! All diapers collected will be given to the White Bear Food Shelf.

Otter Lake Elementary wrapped up their school-wide Read-a-thon event! This year’s theme was The Power of Perseverance. Students enjoyed themed dress up days, classroom activities and special guest readers! Classrooms were visited by community members, district leaders, local first responders, professional hockey players from the Minnesota Frost and so many more! The special guests read books about perseverance and they shared with students a time in their life when they needed to persevere! The exciting activities were highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

At Willow Lane Elementary, Kindergartners are learning about kings and queens in their CKLA lessons. To showcase their knowledge, they held a royal tea party! Students dressed in fancy clothes, listened to a royal toast from Principal Menier and enjoyed a royal ball! Get a closer look at the exciting activity in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Lincoln Elementary students had a blast learning about different topics, conducting science experiments and creating art projects ahead of their annual Carlson Art and Science Fair. Students were eager to show off their creative works to staff, families and community members. Projects included volcanos, the solar system, paintings and so much more! 

Community Connections

Middle School students who are members of the Black Student Union are preparing for their upcoming Showcase! Students wrapped up their quilt projects this week. Their creations are on display at both Central and Mariner ahead of the event happening on Thursday, February 20 at 6 p.m. in the Mariner Middle School Auditorium. The event is open to the community and will feature student works and performances!

Community members are invited to stop by for an informal chat with district leaders and Dr. K over a cup of coffee. Find us at Caribou Coffee in Downtown White Bear Lake from 12-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27. And mark your calendar for our final Coffee event of the school year, which will take place from 7:30-8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7.

The completed WBLAHS addition and remodeling project, made possible by the 2019 bond referendum, was recently highlighted in an article by Bring Me The News. The completed project brought together students in grades 9-12 in one building this past fall. Community members can follow along in the district’s Building Our Future Facilities Process to see all projects happening right now, what's been completed and the projects still to come.

Mariner Middle School students helped Principal Pierre host U.S. Representative Betty McCollum. Congresswoman McCollum toured the school, visited with staff and students, and stopped by several history classes where students were able to ask her different questions about her job and what got her interested in a career in politics. 

The district's Career Pathways team is looking for industry partners to host tables at a WBLAHS Career Fair! Those who would like to register to host a table should do so by this Friday, February 14. Find information here. Speaking of our Career Pathways Program, high school students that are part of the Future Bear Educators program (and the district's Grow Your Own program) are applying for and interviewing for positions within the district's Extended Day program. This Education Pathway program provides students an opportunity to explore a career in education while earning college-level credits and receiving hands-on experience! Once students have completed the onboarding process, they will begin working at Elementary buildings in WBLAS. 

Stepping into the Spotlight

Both the WBLAHS Boys' and Girls' Alpine Ski Teams finished fifth overall in the conference and are each sending one team member to the State competition. During the Section 7 Meet at Giants Ridge, skiers race two runs on different courses for a combined time. According to Coach Feirn, you have to be close to perfect on both runs to qualify for State. Cooper Feirn finished in 14th place and Josie Guidinger placed 16th, both qualifying for State. They team had a great showing all around with Angus Levins who placed just outside of qualifying and Robbie Dresen who skied a personal best for 28th place. On the girls' team, Eva Haskins skied solid and finished in 23rd place. The State meet is happening at Giants Ridge on February 11. Read more competition highlights in this White Bear Press article. 

The White Bear varsity and middle school cheerleaders competed at the Minnesota Cheerleading Coaches Association State Competition held at Roy Wilkins Auditorium on February 1 and collected four state championship titles. The varsity team competed in the Class AA Non-Tumbling Division 1 and Class AA Non-Tumbling Division 1 Game Day divisions. The middle school team competed in the Middle School and Middle School Game Day divisions. The varsity team is currently competing at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida.

The WBLAHS Competition One Act Play took part in the State competition at O’Shaughnessy Auditorium at St. Catherine’s University this past weekend. The production earned their spot after placing first at Sections. This was the first time in 13 years and the second time in WBLAHS history that the One Act Play has advanced to State! 

Speaking of impressive performers, WBLAHS junior Lucas Maahs was highlighted as an Emerging Artist in the White Bear Press Arts for his successes on stage. Lucas has earned several recognitions including a Hennepin Spotlight Award for Supporting Cast, an honor rarely bestowed upon a chorus member.

High school students who are members of the orchestra, band and choir participated in the annual Suburban East Conference Music Festival at Irondale High School. They spent the day working with prominent music professionals during clinics, polishing and perfecting their own musical skills, and listening to performances by their peers. Their performances where highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Hands-on Lessons

Plants are blooming inside the science room at Area Learning Center! Students constructed and installed a vertical garden using recycled water bottles as part of their environmental lesson. They are growing several varieties of vegetables including lettuce and radishes. Get a closer look at the installment in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

In their ceramics and sculpting classes, high school students are working on an assortment of clay based projects as seen in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".  While practicing and applying specific sculpting techniques, they are making mugs, monster statues and 3D objects. These level 2 classes provide opportunities for students to get creative and produce their own unique masterpieces. 

High school students enrolled in French classes celebrated "la chandeleur" or a holiday of lights by making crepes! It's a French holiday that takes place on February 2 and crepes are made because they look like the sun, round and golden once cooked. During the Middle Ages there was a superstition that if they didn't make crepes, their crops would be destroyed. 

Central Middle School sixth grade Minnesota History students learned about the importance of Dakota winter counts and applied them to their own lives. They identified one important event from each year of their lives and drew a symbol for each event. Students used paper bags and worked to distress them, making it feel like they were animal hides, which the Dakota used to create their winter counts. Check out their lesson in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds".

Alumni in the News

WBLAHS grad Margaret Landberg Ludick was recently featured in a Minnesota Athletes article that highlighted how she's still chasing her dreams and bettering her marathon times. The 2024 Minnesota Female Runner of the Year honoree mentioned coaches she had along the way, including the late Lyle Helke, who she called "a fantastic coach."

A White Bear grad, his daughter and a staff member experienced a full circle moment together! James Honsa walked the halls of Birch Lake Elementary back in 1970 when he attended the school. He then graduated from White Bear in 1984 just a year after his wife who graduated from Mariner High School in 1983 before the two high schools became one. The pair went on to become teachers, both working at North St. Paul High School where one of James' students was current Birch Lake Elementary Administrative Assistant Kelly Rivers! Fast forward several years, and now James' daughter Jolene is proudly student teaching at her dad's alma mater and working alongside one of his former students! The father-daughter duo grabbed lunch together at Birch Lake allowing James to walk the halls one more time and catch up with one of his former students!

Bears Giving Back

A group of Willow Lane Elementary students presented a check to Make-A-Wish. They represented the organization in the Minnow Tank competition, an empowering service learning project that teaches students about leadership, confidence, kindness and teamwork skills. Their presentation to a panel of judges earned them third place in the competition securing the donation to their charity of choice. 

Central Middle School staff members (pictured from left to right) Lydia Petoskey,  Jesse Kelley, Courtney Peterson, Ellen Nelson, Brittney Scott, and Carly Neihart were among over 950 participants to plunge into White Bear Lake on January 25 to help raise money and awareness for Special Olympics Minnesota. Funds raised will help provide year-round training and services to thousands of athletes with intellectual disabilities across the state.

At Lakeaires Elementary third graders took part in a service project. Together as a grade, they made 40 tie blankets for people in need in our community. Their blankets were donated to local organizations and The Closet. Their project was highlighted in this video issue of "The Week in 62.4 Seconds". 

Youth Enrichment Opportunities

Embark on an Epic Family Adventure! Step into a world of imagination and adventure with your family in our Learn-to-Play Dungeons & Dragons: Family Edition class! This crash course into the classic table-top roleplaying game, Dungeons & Dragons, is a gateway to shared creativity, problem-solving, and unforgettable memories. Designed specifically for parents and children to enjoy together, this session offers a unique opportunity to bond over a shared story, where families become heroes that shape the narrative.

Once the basics are covered, your family will embark on a thrilling mini-adventure, tailored to highlight teamwork, creativity, and critical thinking. Watch as your kids problem-solve their way out of a goblin ambush or strategize how to recover a lost treasure. Along the way, you'll laugh, learn, and cheer each other on as you tackle challenges together.

What makes this program truly special is its focus on connection. Whether it’s collaborating on a shared strategy or celebrating a daring dice roll, every moment reinforces the joy of working together as a family. Gameplay builds skills like quick math, creative thinking, and collaboration, which then extend well beyond the game table. Find more information here.

 Activities Updates

The Boys' and Girls' Alpine Ski Teams are each sending one participant to the State Meet. Both team finished in fifth place in the conference standings. The WBLAHS Cheerleading Team competed at the National High School Cheerleading Championship in Orlando, Florida. The WBLAHS One Act Play participated in the State Tournament on February 7 after being named Section Champions. The Boys Swim and Dive Team celebrated senior night honoring the leadership and successes of their class of 2025 student-athletes. WBLAHS Boys' Hockey Coach Chris Anderson's 2 v 2 Net Presence drill was featured as the Drill of the Week on minnesotahockey.org.

Senior community members (age 65+) who live in the District are invited to participate in the Senior Activities Pass program and enjoy complimentary admission to most school activities. Find out how to receive your free pass here.

Please contact the Communications Department (651-407-7695) to submit Student News for inclusion in future publications. 

The Week in 62.4 Seconds

Enjoy The Week in 62.4 Seconds videos highlighting weekly district activities throughout the school year.

School Board News

District News

General Information